Mount with hidden magnetically actuated positioning

ABSTRACT

A mounting and leveling system for an electronic image display device ( 10 ) formed of an array of multiple display sections ( 12 ) facilitates adjustment of the alignment of adjacent display sections to minimize visible seams between display sections. Some embodiments include one or more magnetically actuated fasteners ( 220 ) that facilitate front-access-only installation and adjustment without requiring access to the rear, top, bottom, or sides of the array. Tools ( 300, 410 ) for installation and removal of display modules ( 50 ) from a front side of the display device are also disclosed. Fasteners ( 220 ) for providing a hidden adjustable connection between first and second objects are also disclosed. One such fastener includes a screw ( 226 ) having a magnetic head ( 222 ) that presents a magnetic moment perpendicular to its axis of rotation ( 234 ).

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62/097,539, filed Dec. 29, 2014, and62/114,021, filed Feb. 9, 2015, both of which are incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to positioning systems for arrays of electronicimage display panels (e.g., direct-view LED display panels) and, inparticular, to a positioning system comprising hidden magnetic fastenersoperable from outside a front surface of the display panel array toadjust the position and relative alignment of the individual panels.

BACKGROUND

Known mounting and positioning systems in this field often assemblemultiple display panels, or display panel sections, into a regular arrayfor a larger display where a video or image is displayed across multipledisplay panel sections. Each panel or section may itself includemultiple tiles, aggregated on a carrier plate to enable a regular arrayto cover a larger surface area with fewer iterations of the installationand adjustment process. Uniformity of an image across multiple panelsections requires an equal distance spacing between each of the lightemitting components. In a direct-view light-emitting diode (DV-LED)display, the pitch of a display panel is defined as the spacing betweenindividual LEDs, which may be anywhere from a few millimeters to a fewcentimeters or more. Variations in pitch appear in the image asunnaturally bright or dim spots: brightness results from spacing tooclose together and dimness from spacing too far apart. When placingmultiple panel sections together in an array, the border between panelsections will appear as a bright line if the panel sections are spacedtoo close together or as a dim line if the panel sections are spaced toofar apart. Such visible “seams” are undesirable in an image display.

Uniformity of the image across multiple panel sections also requiresthat the edges of adjacent panel sections be coplanar. If one edge isbowed out relative to the adjacent edge, the edge will appear as abright line in the image when viewed from one oblique angle and as a dimline when viewed from another oblique angle. Bowing or bending ofdisplay panel section edges is particularly difficult to overcome wherethe backing of the array, which may be a wall or other frame, is itselfbowed or bent or bumpy. Lack of coplanar edges creates undesirablevisible seams when viewing the array from an angle.

Thus, the present inventors have recognized that achieving imageuniformity requires careful positioning of the display sections so thatadjacent edges are properly spaced and coplanar. Prior art mountingsystems provide for some adjustment of the position of display sections,but such adjustments are tedious and often require multiple iterativeadjustments of the display panel section. Typically the display sectionmust be removed each time the mount is adjusted and then the displaypanel section must be replaced within the array to check the alignment.The present inventors have recognized these and other shortcomings ofprior art display panel mounting systems, and a need for improvedmounting systems.

SUMMARY

The system disclosed herein is designed to facilitate an installation ofan array of multiple display sections to comprise a large display, forexample on a wall, while minimizing the visibility of seams betweendisplay sections. The system may realize an additional advantage ofachieving a front-access-only installation without requiring access tothe rear, top, bottom, or sides of the array.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a device for providing a hiddenadjustable connection between first and second object includes a screwhaving a magnetic head that presents a magnetic moment perpendicular toits axis of rotation.

Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdetailed description of preferred embodiments, which proceeds withreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric partially exploded front view of a display deviceincluding an installation of an array of display sections on a wall viaa display panel mounting system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a rear isometric view of the display device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of a single 1×1 mounting plateassembly and a single display panel module.

FIG. 4 is one embodiment of an installation/removal tool attached to adisplay panel module, with an eject mechanism of the display panelmodule shown in an activated state.

FIG. 5 is a cross section view of a base plate of the display panelmodule of FIG. 3 attached to a support platform with a latch of the baseplate shown engaged, and including a schematic illustration of a displaypanel section and the installation/removal tool of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an installation/removal tool accordingto another embodiment

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross section view of the display panel module ofFIG. 3 with the mounting plate assembly omitted, and illustrating anadjustment screw of the display panel module together with a magneticdriver tool for adjusting the adjustment screw.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an installation of an electronic image display device 10comprising a regular array of display panel sections 12. Display device10 is secured to a wall 14 which is a form of backing and alternativelycomprises a frame or open studs or other support structure. The wall 14or other support structure is preferably flat, but may be sloped orangled or curved. Mounting plate assemblies 20 and 22 (also known asmounting brackets or mounting platforms) are fixed to wall 14. Mountingplate assemblies 20, 22 form a support platform made up of one or moresupport sections 24, 25. Each mounting plate assembly 20, 22 includesmultiple corner mounts 26 attaching each of the support sections 24, 25to wall 14 with screws or other fasteners.

Each corner mount 26 includes an adjustable stand-off screw 30 such as ajack screw, which adjustably connects corner mount 26 to its respectivesupport section, such as support section 24. Rotational adjustment ofstand-off screw 30 causes the connected support section 24 to moverelative to wall 14, either toward wall 14 or away from wall 14 along aZ-axis. Adjustment of stand-off screw 30 moves support section 24 (or acorner thereof) along the Z-axis and causes rotation or flexing ofsupport section 24 relative to the Z-axis. Thus, even if wall 14 has anuneven surface, adjustment of one or more stand-off screws 30 canflatten support section 24 and reduce flexing in support section 24.Stand-off screws 30 also allow the Z-position and tilt of adjacentsupport sections 24, 25 to be coarsely adjusted for improving relativealignment and co-planarity. In another embodiment (not shown), supportsections may be designed and/or arranged to achieve a desired curvatureor contoured support platform or support surface for a curved version ofelectronic image display device 10. For example, multiple supportsections may be arranged as a series of facets of a concave or convexcurve, with stand-off screws 30 allowing adjacent support sections to beadjusted to approximate a smooth curve.

An array of display panel sections 12 further includes multiple displaypanel modules 50 (“module”). Each module 50 includes an attached displaypanel section 12 which comprises a display surface 52 of module 50.Module 50 also includes a carrier 54 (see also FIG. 3), to which thedisplay panel section 12 is attached. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, eachdisplay panel section 12 includes four separate tiles 58, each of whichis fixed to carrier 54. In another embodiment (not shown), display panelsection 12 may include a single tile or of any other number of tiles,such as 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, or 16 tiles, for example, generally arranged ina rectangular array, but alternatively in other shapes as describedbelow. Module 50 also includes a base plate 80 that facilitatesadjustably positionable attachment of module 50 to support section 24 bymagnetic attraction, as further described below with reference to FIG.3.

Support sections 24 and 25 provide multiple sets of magnetic elements90, each set comprising a grouping of magnetic elements 90 correspondingto a single module 50. Each set of magnetic elements 90 is designed tointeract magnetically with the base plate 80 of a single display panelmodule 50, in order to attach module 50 to the support section 24 or 25with magnetic attraction. In the embodiment shown, a single set 100 ofmagnetic elements includes twelve discrete magnetic elements 90, butalternative sets of magnetic elements may include only one, three, four,five, six, eight, nine, ten, or any other larger number of discretemagnetic elements. Within support section 24, there are six sets 100 ofmagnetic elements 90, each set spaced apart from another and alignedtherewith for accommodating a total of six display panel modules 50 in arectangular, two-by-three configuration, with one module 50 attachingmagnetically to each set 100 of magnetic elements. Alternatively, thepresent disclosure contemplates other arrangements of sets within asupport section. For example, support section 25 includes three sets ina one-by-three (1×3) configuration, and other support sections mayinclude a single set (1×1) or other rectangular configurations such asone-by-four (1×4), one-by-two (1×2), two-by-three (2×3), and two-by-fourand larger. In other embodiments (not shown), display panel sections maybe triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or other regular or irregularpolygon shape. In such embodiments, the support sections are preferablyshaped to accommodate whole numbers of display panel sections (oflike-shaped polygons) arranged side-by-side. For example, supportsections designed to accommodate triangular display panel sections mayhave the shape of a parallelogram (two sections), a trapezoid (threesections), hexagon (six sections) or any other regular polygon that canbe formed of multiple triangles. Thus, the size and shape of the supportsections and support platforms is not limited to rectangles as shown inFIG. 1 but is preferably dimensioned to provide a whole number of setsof magnetic elements and to accommodate a whole number of display panelsections.

Each support section 24 or 25 includes one or more front-facing modulesupport surfaces 106 which is a contact surface for modules 50. Eachmodule support surface 106 defines an X-Y plane (such definition isunderstood to be approximate in the situation where module supportsurface 106 is not perfectly flat). In the embodiment shown, the modulesupport surface 106 includes a single set 100 of the magnetic elements90 within an individual support section 24 or 25. In other embodiments,module support surface 106 may encompass multiple sets 100 of magneticelements 90. In general, module support surface 106 is distinguishedfrom the front major surfaces 110 and 112 of the respective supportsections 24 and 25, in that magnetic elements 90 preferably extendbeyond front major surfaces 110 and 112 in the Z-axis direction and liein a plane to collectively provide a planar contact surface for modules50 to attach magnetically to mounting plate assemblies 20 or 22 withoutmodules 50 contacting front major surface 110 or 112. Thus, modulesupport surface 106 may comprise either a single contiguous surface or acollection of surfaces of a plurality of sets 100 of magnetic elements90 generally arranged to lie in an X-Y plane, or a combination ofmagnetic elements 90 and other surfaces. Module support surface 106 mayin some embodiments be distinct from magnetic elements 90 in that someor all magnetic elements 90 in a set 100 may, in some embodiments, berecessed behind front major surfaces 110 and 112 in the Z-axis directionand thereby provide no contact with modules 50 even while providingsufficient magnetic attraction to attach modules 50 magnetically tomounting plate assembly 20 or 22 such that all or a portion of a frontmajor surface (110 or 112) serves as a module support surface.

Preferably, an installation of electronic image device 10 provides thatdisplay panel sections 12 be substantially coplanar. Although modules 50provide for some fine adjustment of the planarity of each display panelsection 12, the initial positioning of support sections 24 and 25provides the foundation for a coplanar array. Variances in planaritywithin or between module support surfaces 106 of support sections 24 and25 are likely to propagate to the display panel sections 12, resultingin undesirable visible lines in images displayed on the assembled device10. Consequently, achieving flatness within module support surfaces 106and achieving planarity between module support surfaces 106 isimportant. In general, the more difficult problem is achieving planarityacross a seam, such as seam 140 between module support surfaces 106 oftwo different support sections 24 and 25. One advantage of certainembodiments of mounting systems according to the present disclosure isthat they provide for support sections 24 or 25 that each encompassmultiple display panel sections 12. For example, device 10 accommodatesnine display panel sections 12, but there is only one seam 140 betweensupport sections 24 and 25. By reducing the number of seams betweenmodule support surfaces 106, this arrangement facilitates a coplanarinstallation of a regular array of display panel sections 12.

To improve alignment of multiple display panel sections 12 across seam140, stand-off screws 30 can rotate a support section and its modulesupport surfaces 106 for alignment with the X-Y plane of the modulesupport surface(s) 106 of a different support section. Furthermore, seam140 includes abutting edges 144 and 146 of support sections 24 and 25respectively. Adjustable stand-off screws 30 enable independent rotationof abutting edges 144 and 146 relative to the Z-axis. This provides forvertical (Z-axis) alignment of abutting edges 144 and 146 across seam140, which facilitates coplanar installation of display panel sections12 across seam 140. Additionally, abutting edges 144 and 146 may bespaced a fixed distance apart at seam 140, so that the width of seam 140is substantially unvarying along its length. Precise alignment ofsupport sections 24, 25 and spacing therebetween at abutting edges 144and 146 facilitates provision of an unvarying pitch between LEDs acrossseam 140.

Turning to FIG. 2, illustrating a rear isometric view of the displaydevice 10 of FIG. 1, several linking braces 150 (rigid plates or straps)are attached to support sections 24 and 25 across seam 140 at predefinedintervals by bolts attached through pre-positioned holes 152 in supportsections 24, 25 adjacent abutting edges 144, 146. The position ofpre-positioned holes 152 is designed to place support sections 24 and 25a fixed distance apart when linking braces 150 are attached, to therebyestablish substantially uniform spacing between support sections 24, 25.Each linking brace 150 is designed to hold support sections 24, 25 in acoplanar arrangement, which facilitates coplanar arrangement of displaypanel tiles 12 across seam 140.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear isometric view of 1×1 mounting plate assembly170 configured to support a single display panel module 50. Withreference to FIG. 3, module 50 (which is shown exploded apart frommounting plate assembly 170 for clarity) includes base plate 80, carrier54, and display panel section 12. Mounting plate assembly 170 includescorner mounts 26, magnetic elements 90, and support platform section 172having a module support surface 106. Support platform section 172supports one set 100 of magnetic elements 90 defining an X-Y plane, forattaching a single display panel module 50 to mounting plate assembly170.

Base plate 80 has a rear side 180 facing module support surface 106 ofsupport platform section 172. Rear side 180 includes a set 182 ofmagnetic elements 184. In the embodiment shown, set 182 includes twelvediscrete magnetic elements 184, but alternative sets of magneticelements may include only one or any number of discrete magneticelements. Magnetic elements 184 are arranged on rear side 180 to lie ina common plane and to cooperate with set 100 of magnetic elements 90 ofmounting plate assembly 170 to magnetically attract and mount base plate80 to support platform section 172. Set 182 of magnetic elements 184cooperate to form a rear surface 186 of module 50, which is which is acontact surface for support platform section 172. When module 50 ismounted to support platform section 172, rear surface 186 contactsmodule support surface 106 and in combination with module supportsurface 106 creates an interface that enables sliding of module 50relative to support platform section 172. The sliding interface allowsan X-Y position of base plate 80 to be adjusted by manually sliding baseplate 80 along the X-Y plane defined by module support surface 106.Adjustment of an X-Y position of base plate 80 includes translationalong the X-axis, Y-axis, or both, as well as rotation in the X-Y plane.In the embodiment shown, rear surface 186 is flat, but alternativeembodiments may provide a somewhat bumpy, rough, or other discontinuoussurface. The amount of sliding of base plate 80 relative to supportplatform section 172 is limited by the size of magnetic elements 90 andmagnetic elements 184. If no portion of a magnetic element 184 ispositioned in front (along the Z-axis) of a magnetic element 90, themagnetic attraction between set 182 and set 100 is not sufficient tosupport the weight of module 50. Consequently, module 50 shouldpreferably not be allowed to slide in any direction into a positionwhere no portion of a magnetic element 184 is positioned in front of aportion of a magnetic element 90. Alternative embodiments may providefor a greater range of sliding adjustment of module 50 in the X-Y planeby increasing the size of magnetic elements 90 or 184 or both. In someembodiments (not illustrated), a fine X-Y adjustment device, such as apair of screw adjusters, may be interposed between module 50 and supportplatform section 172. One advantage of adjusting the X-Y position ofbase plate 80 is to facilitate positioning of adjacent display panelsections 12 without gaps therebetween that would otherwise disrupt theLED pitch across a regular array of display panel sections 12 and causeundesirable visible bright or dark lines in the displayed image.

Preferably, magnetic elements 90 and 184 are permanent magnets, and morepreferably a steel-encased permanent magnet (also known as a “potmagnet”) which focuses the magnetic field and shunts the magnetic fluxwhen an air gap is formed between the pot magnet and another magneticelement. Alternatively, magnetic elements may include electromagnets. Insome embodiments, a first sets of magnetic elements (e.g. set 100 ofmagnetic elements 90) is made up of permanent magnets or electromagnets,while the other set of magnetic elements (e.g. set 182 of magneticelements 184) consists essentially of a magnetic material such as steel,which is attracted to the permanent magnets of the first set. In someembodiments the magnetic elements may be integrally part of the supportplatform section 172 or the base plate 80. For example, the supportplatform section could be made of a magnetic material such as steel.

Carrier 54 has an outer face 204 attached to display panel section 12.Outer face 204 is the same size or smaller than display surface 52. Thisconfiguration enables adjacent display panel sections 12 to abut oneanother directly and thereby to prevent gaps between display panelsections 12 that would interrupt the even pitch of LEDs across an arrayof display panel sections 12 and cause undesirable visible lines in theresulting image. Thus, no part of carrier 54 extends beyond theperiphery of display panel section 12.

Opposite outer face 204, Carrier 54 also has a rear face 206 that facesbase plate 80. For attaching carrier 54 to base plate 80, one or moreadjustable fasteners 220 protrude through the rear surface 206. In theembodiment shown, adjustable fasteners 220 are threaded fasteners, suchas a type of screw described below with reference to FIG. 7 with a shankprotruding through or from rear surface 206, but alternatively mayinclude cams, chains, flexible belts or other means of adjustableattachment. Adjustable fasteners 220 each include a magnetic component,such as magnetic head 222, movably mounted to carrier 54 behind outerface 204. An upper surface 226 of magnetic head 222 is recessed rearwardof outer face 204 so that display panel section 12 lies flat againstouter face 204. Carrier 54 preferably accommodates each magnetic head222 within a pocket 230 or cavity, which provides space thataccommodates movement of magnetic head 222 when adjustable fastener 220is being adjusted as described below with reference to FIG. 7. Carrier54 preferably includes a set of pockets 230 or cavities spaced apartaround a periphery of carrier 54. Pocket 230 is not essential to theoperation of carrier 54 but may be substituted with or formed byalternatives, such as an open collar 240 (illustrated in the embodimentof FIG. 7) or other bracket or attachment structure, which may or maynot define a cavity or pocket 230 containing magnetic head 222. In oneembodiment, carrier 54 includes five pockets 230 or cavities supportingfive adjustable fasteners 220, including one on each corner of thecarrier 54 and one midway along the long edge of the carrier 54. Theplacement of adjustable fasteners desirably allows for adjustment of thepitch (rotational orientation of carrier 54 about the X-axis), yaw(rotational orientation of carrier 54 about the Y-axis), and the bow(flexure) of carrier 54. In other embodiments, a greater or lessernumber of adjustable fasteners 220 may be employed for each module 50.

Base plate 80 includes one or more safety latches 270. When module 50 isattached to support platform section 172, each safety latch 270 extendsthrough a latch receiver 272 in support platform section 172 and extendsaround a catch 274. Safety latches 270 are designed to remain in anextended (latched) position unless retracted and thus prevent module 50from inadvertently falling or being dropped, for example duringinstallation or servicing, or in the unlikely event that the magneticattraction between magnetic elements 90 and 184 weakens or fails. Baseplate 80 includes one or more eject mechanisms 280, described below withreference to FIG. 4, which can be selectively actuated to remove module50 from mounting plate assembly 170 by forcing a separation betweenmagnetic elements 90 and 184.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an installation tool or removal tool 300attached to module 50, illustrating ejection magnets 302 of tool 300holding eject mechanisms 280 in an activated state. Tool 300 includes aflexible pad 304 having an upper surface 306 and a lower surface 308.When tool 300 attaches to module 50, lower surface 308 faces andcontacts display surface 52. One or more handles 310 are affixed toupper surface 306 of tool 300 for lifting tool 300 and the attachedmodule 50.

Display panel section 12 includes multiple tiles 58 and a heat sink 330for each tile. When operating as part of electronic image device 10,each tile 58 produces heat. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4,heat sinks 330 are sandwiched between tiles 58 and carrier 54, andtransfer heat away from tiles 58 and into carrier 54. In otherembodiments (not illustrated), however, heat sinks 330 may be omittedand tiles 58 may be installed directly on carrier 54 such that carrier54 serves as the primary heat sink.

Eject mechanism 280 includes bearing surfaces 348, for pushing against asupport platform (such as support platform section 172 of FIG. 3 orsupport sections 24, 25 of FIG. 1) when module 50 is attached bymagnetic attraction to a support platform. FIG. 4 shows eject mechanism280 in an activated state, wherein bearing surfaces 348 extend beyondrear surface 186 of base plate 80 for contacting a support platform.Eject mechanism 280 is activated magnetically from the opposite ofdisplay panel section 12. When tool 300 is attached to module 50,ejection magnets 302 are positioned in front of display panel section 12opposite each of several magnetic elements 350 of eject mechanism 280,which are located behind display panel section 12. Magnetic elements 350are movably attached to base plate 80 via breaker arms 358 of ejectmechanism 280. A pin or other link 354 pivotably secures breaker arms358 to a traveler block 352 of eject mechanism 280 which is slidablyattached to base plate 80. A pivot 362 rotatably secures a middlesection of each breaker arm 358 to the periphery of base plate 80.Preferably, each breaker arm 358 attaches to traveler block 352 at oneend of breaker arm 358, in order to maximize the bearing force atbearing surfaces 348 created by the magnetic attraction between ejectionmagnets 302 and magnetic elements 350. The magnetic attraction betweenejection magnets 302 and magnetic elements 350 translates throughbreaker arm 358 into a mechanical bearing force between bearing surface348 and the support platform to which module 50 is attached (such assupport platform section 172 in FIG. 3). The tool 300 and ejectionmagnets 302 enable operation of the eject mechanism 280 on a displaypanel section 12 from the front only, without requiring access behinddisplay panel section 12. Thus, placing tool 300 adjacent displaysurface 52 both activates eject mechanism 280 and magnetically attractsmodule 50 to installation tool so that module 50 can be lifted andcarried using handles 310. Removal of tool 300 from module 50 occurs byflexing an edge or a corner of the flexible pad 304 upward, away fromdisplay surface 52, in order to break the magnetic attraction betweenflexible pad 304 and module 50.

FIG. 5 shows a cross section of base plate 80 attached to supportplatform section 172, with carrier 54, display panel 12, and tool 300illustrated schematically. A latch mechanism 400 includes safety latch270, which is shown in an engaged position extending through latchreceiver 272 and around catch 274 of support platform section 172.Removal of module 50 from support platform section 172 using tool 300requires disengagement of safety latch 270. To actuate safety latch 270and thereby disengage safety latch 270 from support platform section172, an actuating magnet 402 is positioned outside display panel section12. When actuating magnet 402 is positioned opposite safety latch 270 onthe front side of display panel 12, actuating magnet 402 attracts amagnetic element 404 connected to safety latch 270 by a linkage 406. Asactuating magnet 402 draws magnetic element 404 forward toward displaypanel section 12, linkage 406 pulls safety latch 270 away from catch 274so that safety latch 270 cannot inhibit separation of base plate 80 fromsupport platform section 172. A manual transmission may control theposition of actuating magnet 402 relative to the rest of tool 300 toselectively and controllably release safety latch 270.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an installation/removal tool 410according to another embodiment. With reference to FIG. 6, tool 410includes a lifting platform 412, which is preferably made of a plate ofnonmagnetic metal, such as aluminum, or of another rigid nonmagneticmaterial, instead of a flexible pad. A pair of lifting handles 414 areattached to a face of lifting platform 412. Several sets of latchrelease magnets 416 are fixedly supported on metal plate 412 to actuateand release the safety latches 270 (FIG. 3) when tool 410 is placedadjacent display surface 52 of module 50. Several sets of ejectionactuator magnets 418 are supported on ejector control mechanisms 420,each comprising a traveler 422 mounted to platform 412 by means of oneor more screw adjusters 424 with thumb wheels 426 attached to traveler422 to controllably drive and position ejection actuator magnets 418toward or away from platform 412 and module 50 (not shown). Thus,ejector control mechanisms 420 selectively and controllably actuate orrelease the ejector mechanism 280 (FIGS. 3-4) of module 50. Platform 412may include a series of windows or apertures 428 aligned with magnets416, 418 to allow magnetic flux to pass through.

Screw adjusters 424 and thumb wheels 426 reduce or avoid violent forcesthat can otherwise occur during installation and removal of module 50due to the attractive magnetic forces between ejection actuator magnets418 and magnetic elements 35 (or the sudden decline thereof duringrelease), and the engagement of attractive magnetic forces betweenmagnetic elements 90 and magnetic elements 184 (or the release thereof).For example, the attractive magnetic force between magnetic elements 90and magnetic elements 184 may exceed 70 pounds of force, so a slow andcontrolled movement of ejection actuator magnets 418 allows tool 410 tosmoothly mount or disengage module 50 to or from its mounting plateassembly.

FIG. 7 shows a cross section of adjustable fastener 220. Adjustment ofone or more adjustable fasteners 220 adjusts the distance betweencarrier 54 and base plate 80 in the Z-direction, along an axis 434 ofthe adjustable fastener 220. In the embodiment shown, adjustablefastener 220 includes a threaded stem or shank 438 attached to andextending from magnetic head 222 along axis 434. The upper surface 226of magnetic head 222 faces away from shank 438. The shank 438 operablyengages base plate 80 via a threaded connection to adjust a distancebetween carrier 54 and base plate 80 when adjustable fastener 220 andits magnetic head 222 are rotated. In other embodiments (not shown), theconnection between adjustable fastener 220 and base plate 80 may be byother than a threaded connection, such as a cam or other mechanicaltransmission responsive to movement of magnetic head 222. Adjustablefastener 220 preferably includes a magnetic component 439, which may bea pair of rare-earth magnets 436 fitted into first and second recessesin the upper surface 226 of head 222 and presenting two opposingmagnetic poles having a magnetic moment vector perpendicular to axis434.

Rotational force is applied to adjustable fastener 220 from outside thedisplay panel section 12 by a driver 440, held opposite the adjustablefastener 220 so as to apply a magnetic field vector perpendicular toaxis 434 of adjustable fastener 220. Misalignment of the magnetic fieldvector of driver 440 and the magnetic moment vector of magneticcomponent 439 imparts a rotational force to adjustable fastener 220around axis 434. Adjustment of one or more adjustable fasteners 220occurs by holding driver 440 in front of display surface 52 in proximityto display surface 52 and rotating driver 440 around axis 434 to createa time-varying magnetic field (rotating magnetic field). Such adjustmentadjusts the distance between carrier 54 and base plate 80 in theZ-direction to achieve tilting or flexing of the plane of displaysurface 52. Module support surface 106 of support platform section 172defines an X-Y plane, out of which a Z-axis extends normal to the plane.Adjustments to adjustable fasteners 220 move carrier 54 along the Z-axisand also change the angle between display surface 52 and the Z-axis.Thus, even if adjacent base plates 80 are not coplanar with each other,adjustment of one or more adjustable fasteners 220 can level displaypanel section 12 or allow for fine adjustment of forward-rearwardpositioning and tilt of adjacent display panel sections 12 for improvingrelative alignment and co-planarity. Thus, each of magnetic components439 is movable in response to application of a magnetic field adjacentto display surface 52 of display panel section 12 to adjust the distancebetween carrier 54 and base plate 80 thereby leveling display panelsection 12 relative to adjacent display panel sections 12 withoutremoving the carrier or manipulating the mounting system from the rear.

In the embodiment shown, threaded shank 438 is a double-ended screw witha shoulder 450. Shank 438 is threaded into a socket on the underside ofhead 222 to define a fixed size gap between shoulder 450 and head 222forming a circumferential channel 452 around threaded shank 438. Thecombination of the threaded shank 438 and the head 222 forms a screw 456of the adjustable fastener 220. Channel 452 is sized only slightly widerthan the thickness of carrier 54 at the place where threaded shank 438protrudes through rear face 206, which allows shank to rotate therein.In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 7, rear face 206 includes acollar 240 affixed or fastened to carrier 54 to form a pocket or cavity230 within which the magnetic head 222 is captured. Collar 240 iscaptured in the circumferential channel 452 formed by the joinder ofshank 438 to head 222 so that collar 240 forms a bearing surface forrotation of the screw 456 of adjustable fastener 220.

Among other benefits, the arrangement of adjustable fastener 220 withchannel 452 retaining the shank 438 to carrier 54 prevents movement ofcarrier 54 relative to base plate 80 along the Z axis and in the X-Yplane unless an adjustment is made to one or more adjustable fasteners220.

Accordingly, adjustable fastener 220 comprises a device for providing ahidden connection between a first object, such as carrier 54, and asecond object, such as base plate 80. The adjustable fastener 220 maycomprise a screw 456 (as illustrated in FIG. 7) having a threaded shank438 with axis 434 and defining a circumferential channel (such aschannel 452) and a head 222 attached to shank 438. A collar 460 isattachable to the first object and seated within channel 452 so that thescrew 456 is rotatably attached to the first object and hidden beneathan outer surface of the first object (such as outer face 204 of carrier54) with the head 222 proximal the outer surface of the first object.Collar 460 and channel 452 are sized to permit the screw to rotaterelative to the first object while preventing movement of the firstobject along the axis 434 relative to the screw 456. The threaded shank438 is threadably connected to the second object such that theconnection between the first and second objects is adjusted in responseto application of a rotating or otherwise time-varying magnetic fieldadjacent the outer surface of the first object.

It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many changesmay be made to the details of the above-described embodiments withoutdeparting from the underlying principles of the invention. The scope ofthe present invention should, therefore, be determined only by thefollowing claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A mounting and leveling system for anelectronic image display device formed of a regular array of displaypanel sections, the system comprising: a support platform including afirst set of one or more magnetic elements and defining an X-Y plane; abase plate having a rear side facing the support platform and a secondset of one or more magnetic elements arranged along the rear side tocooperate with the first set of magnetic elements to magneticallyattract and mount the base plate to the support platform while allowingan X-Y position of the base plate to be adjusted by sliding the baseplate along the X-Y plane; a carrier to which a display panel section isattachable, the carrier having an outer face that is the same size orsmaller than a display surface of the display panel section so that nopart of the carrier extends beyond a periphery of the display panelsection when the system is in use, the carrier having a rear faceopposite the outer face, the rear face facing the base plate; and aplurality of adjustable fasteners attaching the carrier to the baseplate, the adjustable fasteners including a magnetic component movablymounted to the carrier behind the outer face of the carrier, each of themagnetic components being movable in response to application of amagnetic field adjacent the display surface of the display panel sectionto adjust a distance between the carrier and the base plate, therebyfacilitating leveling of the display panel section relative to adjacentdisplay panel sections of the regular array without removing the carrieror manipulating the system from the rear side of the base plate.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1 further comprising a display panel section attached tothe carrier.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the adjustable fastenersinclude a threaded fastener.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein each ofthe adjustable fasteners is a screw having a magnetic head positionedbehind the outer face of the carrier.
 5. The system of claim 1, whereinat least some of the adjustable fasteners include a shank that protrudesthrough the rear face of the carrier.
 6. The system of claim 1 whereinthe magnetic elements of at least one of the first and second sets ofmagnetic elements include permanent magnets.
 7. The system of claim 6,wherein the magnetic elements of the other of the first and second setsof magnetic elements consist essentially of a magnetic material.
 8. Asystem for mounting and aligning multiple display panels comprising asupport section including one or more first sets of magnetic elementseach first set forming a module support surface of the support section;a plurality of modules each including a base plate and an adjustablecarrier plate wherein the carrier plate is adjustably attached to afront surface of the base plate, each module having a periphery andincluding a second set of magnetic elements attached to a rear surfaceof the base plate and forming a rear surface of the module; each modulesupport surface of the support section and each rear surface of themodule providing, in combination, a magnetic attraction between thesupport section and the module and providing a sliding interface betweenthe support section and the module for sliding adjustment of the modulerelative to the support section; the carrier plate having an outer facefacing away from the base plate for attaching a display panel theretoand a rear face facing the base plate, the carrier plate having a set ofcavities spaced apart around a periphery of the carrier plate; and a setof adjustable fasteners, each including: a magnetic head retained in oneof the cavities such that a front surface of the magnetic head isrecessed rearward of the outer face of the carrier plate and themagnetic head is movable in response to application of a magnetic field,and a shank extending from the magnetic head through a hole in the rearface of the carrier plate, the shank operably engaging the base plate toadjust a distance between the base plate and the carrier plate when themagnetic head is moved.
 9. The system of claim 8 further comprising adisplay panel section attached to the carrier plate.
 10. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the adjustable fasteners include a threaded fastener.11. The system of claim 8, wherein each of the adjustable fasteners is ascrew and the magnetic head is positioned behind the outer face of thecarrier plate.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the magnetic elementsof at least one of the first and second sets of magnetic elementsinclude permanent magnets.
 13. A system for mounting and aligningmultiple display panels of an electronic image display device,comprising a plurality of electronic display panel modules each having adisplay side in the shape of a regular polygon, a rear side opposite thedisplay side, and a first set of magnetic elements defining a rearsurface along the rear side of the display panel module; a supportplatform including an assembly of multiple separate support by sections,wherein adjacent ones of the support sections define a seamtherebetween, and further including one or more braces spanning theseam, each of the braces fastened to and detachably joining the adjacentsupport sections, each support section having a second set of magneticelements defining a module support surface, at least some of the supportsections dimensioned to support more than one of the display panelmodules, at least two of the support sections being different sizes, andall of the support sections sized to support a whole number of thedisplay panel modules so that the support sections can be arranged tosupport the display panel modules in a regular array forming theelectronic image display device; and the first set of magnetic elementsof each display panel module cooperating with the second set of magneticelements of one of the support sections to magnetically attract andslidably mount the display panel module to the support platform, andeach of the display panel modules being slidable along the modulesupport surface to adjust spacing and alignment of said display panelmodule relative to an adjacent one of the display panel modules alsomounted to the support platform.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein theregular polygon is rectangular and the regular array is rectangular. 15.The system of claim 13, wherein the braces and their connection to thesupport sections establish substantially uniform spacing between thesupport sections.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the amount ofsliding display panel module relative to support platform is limited bythe size of magnetic elements of the first set of magnetic elements andthe size of magnetic elements of the second set of magnetic elements.17. The system of claim 16, wherein: the module support surface definesan X-Y plane along which the display panel module is manually slidablein X and Y directions and manually rotatable in the X-Y plane, and eachof the magnetic elements of the first set of magnetic elements ismagnetically and slidably attached to a corresponding one of themagnetic elements of the second set of magnetic elements, and is of adifferent size in the X and Y directions than the corresponding one ofthe magnetic elements of the second set of magnetic elements.